Russia Accused of Chemical Weapons Attack in Mariupol

April 12, 2022 Elizabeta Bozinovska Politics

The Pentagon is closely monitoring reports of what could be the first use of chemical weapons by Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine, spokesperson John Kirby informed Monday night, stressing that they cannot confirm it at this time.

If the report from Ukrainian fighters of a chemical weapon attack in the besieged city of Mariupol is verified, as Kirby noted, that would be a potential red line in the conflict and is deeply concerning and reflective of concerns that the US has had about Russia’s potential use of a variety of control agents – including tear gas mixed with chemical agents – in Ukraine.

Kirby added that the Defense Department will continue to monitor the situation closely.

The nationalist military unit fighting to protect Mariupol, the Azov Battalion, reported late Monday night on its social media channels that a poisonous substance of unknown origin had been dropped from a Russian drone earlier that evening, causing troops and civilians alike to develop respiratory illnesses.

Ukrainian officials also reported the attack over social media with the Ukrainian MP Ivanna Klympush calling the potential chemical attack a red line that must be met with international action.

Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, Hanna Malyar, has added to the narrative while Ukraine is checking unverified information that Russia may have used chemical weapons in Mariupol, noting that there is a theory that these could be phosphorus munitions.

According to the Interfax news agency’s reports, the pro-Russian separatist forces in the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic have denied using chemical weapons in Mariupol.

If accurate, the reports would mark an escalation in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and could open the door to a wider conflict although top US and Ukrainian officials pointed out last month that they’re bracing for such a scenario.

Back in March, the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that the use of chemical weapons is a blatant violation of international law with far-reaching consequences.